Tag: platforms

GALAXY BINGO supports tennis in Witbank

GALAXY BINGO supports tennis in Witbank

Galaxy Bingo is one of South Africa’s leading and innovative gaming groups, with an impressive portfolio of 23 Bingo sites conveniently located across six provinces. Their hospitality portfolio comprises of 6 Galaxy Grills and 2 Galaxy Bistros, where you can enjoy delicious and tempting meals. Galaxy Bingo has a passion for sports development and nurturing young talent.

Because of this passion, Galaxy Bingo Emalahleni has sponsored 32 Witbank High School children (16 boys and 16 girls) with tennis coaching every Monday and Wednesday at their school courts. The children have also received new tennis rackets, tennis balls and T-shirts. The tennis programme aims to develop young talent and provide children with the opportunity to play in the tennis league in the 3rd quarter. A tennis league is an annual event.

The kids will also receive coaching life skills from the KPM Academy of Sport and life skills.

KPM has been an NPO based at the Middelburg Country Club for 11 years, giving children an opportunity to play, learn and score through sports. KPM Sports Academy helps children improve their mental skills, keeping them healthy, learn sportsmanship and ethics as well as life skills.

KPM has various initiatives to develop children playing sports in wheelchairs, specifically wheelchair tennis, which has recently been on TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSfRILUcRCc. Many South African children still struggle with basic needs, and sadly, this lack hampers their dreams and leaves them with no option but to resort to crime.

There is hope as NPOs give children opportunities of becoming better people. Kids News’ Didi Mookeletsi caught up with youngsters at the KPM Mentorship Centre in Avalon, Middelburg. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

Great networking event with Twizza Business Breakfast

Great networking event with Twizza Business Breakfast
The business world connects and networks with a buzz. The Twizza Breakfast Buzz was a great success. Members of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) enjoyed meeting and networking with other business people at the Twizza plant. The days of isolation and social distancing are over, and personal and business contacts are made at the monthly Business Buzz events. Christ Swartz and the Twizza team showed how the company started and how it has developed into the company it is today.

The next Business Buzz will be held on 18 August 2022 and will be hosted by Isuzu. Invitations will be sent out in the first week of August. RSVP as soon as possible.  For more information or to host a Business Buzz, please contact Mmabatho or Christo at the MCCI office on 013 243 2253 or email info@middelburginfo.com

Middelburg hosts its own JET for Business

Middelburg hosts its own JET for Business
The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is hosting a Just Energy Transition Congress, Just for Business, on 28 September 2022 at the Steve Tshwete Banquet Hall.

Since the Just Energy Transition (JET) concept was introduced, numerous studies have been conducted to discover how JET will affect communities. Much of the academic research focused on the skills and education levels in the Highveld region of Mpumalanga. In the meantime, the business community has started to investigate the impact JET will have on their future and how they can ensure the success and sustainability of their businesses. Many companies are already involved in green energy and have developed business products and solutions.

MCCI invites all businesses to our JET for Business Congress. We need to talk to each other about what we need and what products and solutions are available. If you have a great product or solution, please contact me to find out how your business can participate at ceo@middelburginfo.com or 013 243 2253.

Speed Networking Sessions are back 

Speed Networking Sessions are back 

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a Speed Networking Function on Thursday 19 May at their venue. Business owners and marketing managers attended in number to interact and network with fellow business owners. The event was a great success and we can’t wait to host the next one.

Join us next time. You might just meet your next best client.

For more information contact: Mmabatho 013 243 2253 or email info@middelburginfo.com

Lively Golf day with Naas Botha

Lively Golf day with Naas Botha

On May 13, the Middelburg Chamber held its annual corporate golf day at the Middelburg Country Club. The day was filled with laughter and excitement from 144 registered players who made for a very crowded field. 18 T-box sponsors and 6 greens sponsors ensured that we had a decorative, creative and energetic golf course. Each with its own music and games.

The programme director for the awards ceremony was Christo de Ridder from ThinkSolutions. The master of ceremonies, the famous Naas Botha, provided an evening full of jokes and fun and an interactive evening with the audience. Naas Botha was the cherry on top of our Chamber’s already successful event.

Anna-Marth Ott, CEO of MCCI, opened the event and welcomed all the sponsors and players. Corrie Barnard of FAW Highveld Commercial, the main sponsor, followed by Dawid Westermann from Nashua Mpumalanga, addressed the crowd, giving them a short overview of the main sponsors’ businesses.

All T’s and Green sponsors:

  • Phillips Global
  • Qembu Middelburg
  • Klinger Mzansi
  • Cross Labour
  • AeQuim
  • One Weigh Middelburg
  • Gibbs & De Jager Inc.
  • Nungu Property Group
  • Umsizi Mining
  • Brimis Engineering
  • First National Bank
  • Green Ticket Testing Solutions
  • Liebherr-Africa
  • CrossFit Artaxes/Midwell Dietitians
  • Mbungiswa Logistics
  • Schoonbee Landgoed
  • Earthcomp
  • Jonsson Workwear
  • Thos Begbie & Company
  • Carl Bechem SA
  • PriceWaterhouseCoopers SA
  • Columbus Stainless
  • Spec-cast Middelburg

Prize sponsors:

  • Columbus Stainless
  • Liebherr-Africa
  • Brimis Engineering
  • Schoonbee Landgoed
  • Middelburg Mall
  • Johnsson Workwear
  • One Weigh
  • FAW Highveld Commercial
  • MS Design
  • ThinkSolutions
  • Cross Labour
  • Carl Bechem SA
  • Hole in one prize sponsor – Middelburg Chamber

No takers for the R100 000.00 cash prize sponsor on hole 3 for the hole in one.

  • Picture – Nearest to the Pin (Johan Strydom – Columbus Stainless)
    • Nearest to the Pin (Julian Coetzee – Schoonbee Landgoed)
  • Picture – Longest drive (Danny Pienaar – Schoonbee Landgoed)
  • Picture – Longest drive (Nick Pinheiro – Phillips Global)
  • Picture – Kianga Group was the winner with their two female players, Maxine Luck and Daleen du Preez
  • Picture – FNB with a second place winners, Johan de Bruto and Rohan Stander

5 T-box and Green Sponsors received prices for the best vibes

  • Brimis Engineering
  • Phillips Global
  • Gibbs and De Jager attorneys
  • Spec-cast
  • Carl Bechem SA

3 prizes for best dressed 4-balls

  • Johnson Wear
  • Umsizi Mining
  • Liebherr Africa

Thank you to all 4-balls and players – thank you for your participating and being part of the day. The Chamber executive members thank you for the support and the raffle sponsor prizes. Thank you to all our sponsors for the day. See you next year!!

R555: SANRAL met with MCCI

R555: SANRAL met with MCCI

Members of the Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by President Que Naidoo, and several SANRAL Northern Region representatives met to discuss the maintenance and condition of the R555 from Jackaroo Park to Middelburg.

The meeting began with businesses sharing their experiences of using the road. Members complained that mines operating adjacent to the R555 encroach on road reserves. The numerous coal trucks litter the road with debris and dust, making it dangerous to drive on. Also, the dust obscures the road markings. The area near the Sentech tower is very unsafe, especially because of the turning circles of the trucks entering and leaving the various mines.

Maintenance of the road in the two-lane sections has been substandard, forcing vehicles to drive into oncoming traffic to avoid vehicle damage. The recent heavy rains have washed away areas around the shoulders of the road, making it difficult for vehicles to exit or drive onto the road. It is challenging to brake sharply or take evasive action if needed due to the road conditions. Businesses are concerned about the safety of their employees travelling on the R555.

Hauliers complained that between the condition of the R555 and the expensive N4, they are reluctant to deliver to Middelburg. The products transported are sometimes damaged during delivery due to the road condition. This affects the sustainability of the companies that use the R555, as they cannot always ensure that the products are delivered in perfect condition.

SANRAL said they have a contractor who has to maintain the road. One component is to cut the grass at the edges and keep the roadsides clean, and the other component is to maintain the road surface. SANRAL said they have noted the issues raised and will address them. SANRAL was not aware of the problems with the mines and will look into the matter.

SANRAL planned to upgrade the 21 kilometre stretch of the R555 into a dual road. The high traffic volume has damaged the road surface and its many layers. SANRAL was also previously reluctant to do the upgrade as it could shift more traffic from the N4 to the R555. Due to this change in the upgrade status, SANRAL had already engaged service providers to design the site. The construction period is expected to start in 18 to 24 months. To consolidate the access to the upgraded road will be time-consuming. It will involve negotiations regarding the first five kilometres within Emalahleni Municipality and various houses and properties adjacent to the road.

In 1999 MCCI, SANRAL, the Minister of Transport and TRAC met several times because of the communities of Middelburg and Witbank. We objected to the new position of the Middelburg Toll Plaza. These negotiations led to transferring that part of the R555 to SANRAL as a national road. The other important agreement was that the residents of these two municipalities would receive a 75% discount at the Middelburg Toll Plaza. This discount has eroded over the years. It was practically impossible to obtain the agreed concession when the tag system was introduced.

MCCI thanked SANRAL for their willingness to meet with the business community. Members members requested SANRAL to arrange a meeting with TRAC so that we can discuss our problems with the toll fees and the extended maintenance period of the road. Businesses have been adversely affected by the positioning of the Middelburg Toll Plaza and the condition of the R555. Given the current economic situation, we urge all parties to find a solution that benefits us.

 

The World Revolves Around Good Relations.

The World Revolves Around Good Relations

Middelburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Que Naidoo and Steve Tshwete Municipality (STLM) Executive member Gerrit van der Merwe and Anna-Marth Ott met with Mayor Masilela and members of the mayoral committee on 30 March 2022.

During the meeting, chaired by Mayor Masilela, many issues were discussed and clarified; Mayor Masilela and his committee committed to finding a constructive way forward. As we have learned over the last six months, we cannot work in isolation. And the longer we do not talk to each other, the more problems escalate. Many of these issues could have been resolved with a phone call. It is good to confirm that the channels of communication are opening up after the meeting with the mayoral committee.

MCCI would like to thank STLM for addressing the various issues we brought to the attention of the Municipality in our October 2021 letter. Working together, we can repair the damage that has been done recently and grow our town and economy again.

Members should keep an eye open for the Integrated Development Plan Technical meeting. At this meeting, you will be able to ensure that STLM’s future infrastructure plans will fit in with your business’ needs and expansion plans.

Business opportunities with the Danes

Business opportunities with the Danes

President Que Naidoo and Vice President Vusi Seroka met with Peter Hydorn, Adviser International Business and Leo Crisp, Senior: Trade Investment Advisors of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on 23 March 2022. MCCI presented Middelburg as a possible investment opportunity. Two main points of investment interest in the Steve Tshwete region were discussed at the meeting.

One issue was the Just Transition opportunities for possible collaboration. Many collaboration opportunities were expressed, but the national government’s involvement was influencing how the opportunities would be rolled out. This was also the author’s experience, who has attended many recent meetings and conferences on this topic. Due to the value of the potential projects, there seems to be an umbrella of protection.

Of greater interest to MCCI members would be Danish companies’ experiences and technologies in energy-efficient equipment and the capabilities of successfully reducing energy consumption. Another area they could offer opportunities to companies is their expertise in robotics.

This is the first of many meetings, and we are working towards investment with Middelburg. Members will be invited for further discussions.

Tourism Mentorship Workshop

Tourism Mentorship Workshop

The Middelburg Information Centre is looking at providing a tourism business Mentorship workshop for LTO members in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM). The workshop will provide opportunities and resources for interested tourism services providers to learn and benefit from successful tourism services providers (experienced owners).

The purpose of this Mentorship is to provide the resources necessary to strengthen the tourism industry by developing skills and increasing business knowledge of tourism operators;

Provide opportunities for tourism business operators to learn and benefit from more experienced tourism operators;

Enhance the strength of the tourism industry over the long term by providing resources (Financial) and opportunities for tourism businesses.

Mentors will share their expertise and knowledge and provide support and encouragement to help tourism business owners to remain focused on what is important for the success of their business. Through the Tourism Business Mentorship workshop, tourism operators who are less experienced can gain valuable skills in business, leadership and networking to help maximize their potential and become successful and profitable independent tourism operators.

We are looking at inviting the National Department of Tourism, MTPA, Grading council, National Empowerment Fund.

More information will be available at the Middelburg Information Centre.

118th AGM and election of the new Chamber 2022 Executive

118th AGM and election of the new Chamber 2022 Executive

The Middelburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) will hold it’s 118th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and is calling on our members to nominate candidates for the 2022/23 election.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 10 March 2022, at 17:00, at Alveston Manor, 21 Hexrivier Street, Middelburg. Members are requested to confirm their attendance by 9 March 2022. If you are unable to attend the AGM, please complete a proxy form and return it to the office by 7 March 2017.

Your attendance is essential to ensure the election of a relevant Executive Committee to represent the business community of Middelburg.

The Notice, nomination and proxy forms have already been emailed to members. Please contact Mmabatho on 013 243 2253 or info@middelburginfo.com for more information